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It seems you must check out on Tuesday, July 31. I had been hoping to leave Wednesday, but the website says the rate is unavailable. Does the contract have us all leaving the group rate on Tuesday?

Thanks for all your work,

Gary

Hi Gary,

Yes, the contracted rate is only setup in their system through Tuesday. Please call the hotel directly if you would like to extend your stay past that and see if they will honor the group rate beyond Tuesday. Please let me know if you have a problem getting the group rate beyond Tuesday and I'll contact the group manager to see if she will adjust the rate for that night.

I booked my hotel this morning. Also searching for flights, but the prices from Austin to Washington are surprisingly high. I'll need to keep searching.

Can the offical "Arrivals and Departures" thread be far behind?

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"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Also searching for flights, but the prices from Austin to Washington are surprisingly high. I'll need to keep searching.

I noticed that too. I'm trying to schedule my NIH visit around this time so they can cover my flight but I'm still looking for a flight for Santi. Southwest is pretty cheap to fly into Baltimore but it looks like a bus and three trains to get to Arlington. He's not down with that. I take a bus and two trains to get to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale and it's not a bad trip--way cheaper than a cab. Some airlines want to fly you to Chicago then Charlottesville then back to Alabama then DC--what's that about?

BWI isn't as difficult as it sounds. It's just a Metrobus (express) to the closest subway station (~25 miles), then take that an transfer from the Green line to the Orange line at Gallery Pl/Chinatown, then that will take you to your hotel. It's really no worse than what one would encounter in NYC with airports. And if you fly into Dulles you're going to have to do something similar, though with a bus and one subway instead of two subways and a bit less total distance. I think if you're looking to fly into Reagan/National the prices are going to be high.

I just booked both my flight and room. I got a roundtrip ticket out of Boston for about $160 on JetBlue that includes extra legroom, priority boarding, and travel insurance. Otherwise it would only have been about $110. I'll be flying into Reagan. I have a cousin in the area and she said that's way closer and easier!

Seeing as the rooms we're getting normally go for a ton more than we're paying, I don't think shelling out a 14 measly bucks a day to park is that awful.

It's not as bad as it sounds, I'd probably spend that on a tank of gas, or on something else, and besides they do have the subway to get around, and we were planning on using that anyway (we just need to find someone that knows how to get around D.C.), as I'm sure well will, I can't wait to meet you all

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

It's not as bad as it sounds, I'd probably spend that on a tank of gas, or on something else, and besides they do have the subway to get around, and we were planning on using that anyway (we just need to find someone that knows how to get around D.C.), as I'm sure well will, I can't wait to meet you all

I was just kind of surprised by that charge. I can't ever remember being charged for parking. At least we know it will be secured parking ! I haven't driven in Washington, for years now. Ed's insisting on just leaving the car parked, and just taking the mass transit, And I don't have a problem with that.

We also asked for an early check in@ 12:00 ( if it was possible) cause we're both going to be needing a shower after riding the train for 17 1/2 hours ! We should arrive in Lorton, VA @ 9:30 AM on Friday. From the auto-train station to the hotel, is about 20 miles or so. That's not too bad, but a 3:00 pm check in, we're both going to be ripe!

Ray, bob & I were considering Amtrak, but ( with a sleeper-car-package), it's kinda pricey, and still cheaper for us to drive from ABQ to VA. we just take I-40 all the way it's gonna take us about 26 hrs. maybe longer as well like to stop, eat & stay the night in OK. City........that's a fun place w/ a Gay Hotel

« Last Edit: February 11, 2012, 05:43:18 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Ray, bob & I were considering Amtrak, but ( with a sleeper-car-package), it's kinda pricey, and still cheaper for us to drive from ABQ to VA. we just take I-40 all the way it's gonna take us about 26 hrs. maybe longer as well like to stop, eat & stay the night in OK. City........that's a fun place w/ a Gay Hotel

That's not bad. It sounds like a good road trip. We took the auto train last summer from Sanford, Florida to Lorton , VA. It's a non-stop train.

I was just checking out the cost. For both of us, ( and the car) the cost is $365.00 ( one way). We'll drive back to Florida. $196.00 ( for us) and $169.00 ( for the car). Not too bad.

I really don't mind driving, and enjoy taking these road trips, and with both of us driving we can switch when need be.

It's still cheaper for us to drive, and we love road trips, are lodging really isn't that much, however the furthereast you get things can get a little pricey, like gas, food, and some hotels range around $150 a night in the east, I can get 28 MPG on the highway w/ my Truck, that's about 375 miles a tank , so it will take 4 tanks of gas to get to VA. and 4 tanks back, @ about $41 bucks a tank.....

beside we like the open road, we always have ( bob hates to fly) it's too much of a hassle he says, we flew 2 yrs ago, and he HATED IT so much he never wanted to do it again......

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

All set! I can't come until Saturday morning (July 28) but I got a nonstop flight at 6:15 am and will be at Reagan by 8 am and easily to the hotel while everyone is eating breakfast (well, the ones who did not burn the midnight oil on Friday...) I will go back home on Tuesday afternoon. Love the ease of online booking!

Also, several posters have expressed concern about us knowing how to get around DC on mass transit. I and several others know the area very well and you will be pleasantly surprised how easy and accessible it is. We will have a great time in our nation's capital this summer!

I don't think any of us drove to Seattle last summer, but if I recall the Roosevelt charged a lot more than $14 dollars a day for parking!

I never considered taking Amtrak, although it would be an option for me. However, if I recall last time I checked Amtrak's prices it probably would be much more expensive for me than the flight I booked!

BTW, I'll be there from the 26th through the 30th! Can't wait to see my pozbuddies again!

I booked my hotel this morning. Also searching for flights, but the prices from Austin to Washington are surprisingly high. I'll need to keep searching.

Can the offical "Arrivals and Departures" thread be far behind?

AirTran (now/soon to be Southwest) usually has decent rates from SA to DC, especially into Dulles. (They have a shuttle from Dulles to the Metro line). Also if you sign up for Airtran A+ rewards you will get emails with sweet deals into DC , the last I saw a few weeks ago was $159 each way.

AirTran (now/soon to be Southwest) usually has decent rates from SA to DC, especially into Dulles. (They have a shuttle from Dulles to the Metro line). Also if you sign up for Airtran A+ rewards you will get emails with sweet deals into DC , the last I saw a few weeks ago was $159 each way.

uh scratch Dulles, Airtran is discontinuing service there in June. Oh well, it's more fun to fly into Reagan and fly down the Potomac at minimums

AirTran (now/soon to be Southwest) usually has decent rates from SA to DC, especially into Dulles. (They have a shuttle from Dulles to the Metro line). Also if you sign up for Airtran A+ rewards you will get emails with sweet deals into DC , the last I saw a few weeks ago was $159 each way.

Actually don't take a shuttle to the closest subway, take the Metrobus 5A and it will take you directly to Rosslyn (Arlington) where your hotel is without having to make a transfer.

So, a quick scan of airfares on Expedia from major cities (US and abroad) to DCA (Reagan National) for July 27th thru 30th found varying rates for round trip travel (some of these flights are nonstop - others 1 or more stops). Rates fluctuate so much that they may dip substantially - of course, if things heat up in Iran with oil concerns, they could rise substantially. Also, good to check individual carrier websites as Expedia does not carry all airlines (Spirit, Southwest, etc) -

Still cheaper for bob & I to drive from Albuquerque - $496 x 2 =992 for round trip for 2, it will only cost us $480 to drive there with a saving of $512, I'm a cheap old QUEER , I rather spend that $500 on our room when we check out on Monday

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

As all of you check fares, don't neglect BWI (Baltimore) as well as IAD (Dulles.) Unless you are in a USAir market, it is not easy to get a cheap fare to Reagan. It is very easy (and uncomplicated) to get from either BWI or Dulles to our hotel. As Philicia pointed out it is a very simple bus trip to the metro stop very close to our hotel from Dulles. From Baltimore, you can take a MARC train at the airport all the way into Union Station in DC and then switch to the Metro line taking you directly to Rosslyn.

From Reagan, for heaven's sake take the Metro! It is right outside the door of the airport and will get you directly to Rosslyn. Don't worry about schlepping your luggage, everyone does it!

If I decide to fly, which destination is best? Flying from Columbus, it's basically the same cost to all 3 airports mentioned. Which one is going to be the least confusing? Even though I'm no longer a virgin flyer, I still get anxious and it caused me to get quite confused and lost several times.

I almost didn't leave Seattle, I pert near missed my flight. This time I'll leave bread crumbs.

Wolfie

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Complacency is the enemy. Challenge yourself daily for maximum return on investment.

If I decide to fly, which destination is best? Flying from Columbus, it's basically the same cost to all 3 airports mentioned. Which one is going to be the least confusing? Even though I'm no longer a virgin flyer, I still get anxious and it caused me to get quite confused and lost several times.

I almost didn't leave Seattle, I pert near missed my flight. This time I'll leave bread crumbs.

Wolfie

National (DCA) is the closest to the hotel - you basically just hope on the Metro and one of the stops is the Roslyn station ---- only four or five stops from the airport -- Catch the Blue line at the airport terminal and take it five stops to Roslyn station which is right after Arlington Cemetary and Pentagon Stations (the order is Airport, Crystal City, Pentagon City, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetary, then Roslyn). Piece of cake and should only cost around $3.00 one way.

If I decide to fly, which destination is best? Flying from Columbus, it's basically the same cost to all 3 airports mentioned. Which one is going to be the least confusing? Even though I'm no longer a virgin flyer, I still get anxious and it caused me to get quite confused and lost several times.

I almost didn't leave Seattle, I pert near missed my flight. This time I'll leave bread crumbs.

Wolfie

If the cost is the same -- fly to Reagan National. The subway stops right there.

For all you AirTran folks -- they still do fly into Richmond. While DC is usually a cheaper destination, if Richmond works out, PM me and we can see if timing works for you to travel up to DC and back with me. The Richmond airport is only 20 mins from my house.

i work in the travel business, so I can keep an eye on all the major cities everyday/week, so if i see something special i will post it. i can get fares from all carriers with a couple easy keystrokes.

i work in the travel business, so I can keep an eye on all the major cities everyday/week, so if i see something special i will post it. i can get fares from all carriers with a couple easy keystrokes.

I used to be able to get lots of good fares and other things with a couple of easy strokes also back in the day

Thanks Phil. It's been said that certain days of the week like Tuesday are good days to book flights. Would you know about good train deals, such as Amtrak?

BTW, if arriving at Union Station is it one train to the hotel?

Jody

Hi Jody:

From Union Station take the RED Line toward Shady Grove (it will be marked that) - get off at Metro Center (this is where all the stations meet up) - from there you can either hop on the ORANGE line toward Vienna/Fairfax or the BLUE line toward Franconia/Springfield..... both stop at ROSSLYN (which is three stops away from Metro Center)

The nice thing about Metro is that if you see you've gotten on the wrong train or right train but in wrong direction you just hop off and get on the correct one - as long as you don't go outside of the que, you don't have to pay again. Also there are no "transfer" fees..... the rates do fluctuate a bit depending on time of day, with the fare being slightly higher during rush hour in the AM and again in the PM (but never more than $4.50 --- max) I usually buy a Metro Card and load it with $10 or $20 ($20 is probably a good amount to start this trip with). They are re-loadable and you can use cash or credit/debit card to purchase at machines at any of the stations (just like NYC/Philly/Atlanta and other subway stations).

I basically swear by the Metro - it is efficient, easy to use, and super clean. No food allowed to be eaten onboard, no smoking at any of the stations, and they are not to keen on people reading newspapers onboard - although, it is allowed (back in the past, they would not even let you take a newspaper out when riding). Most of the Metro stations close around midnight on weekdays and 2 am on weekends (so you have to plan accordingly for a taxi if your going to stay out late).

The nice thing about Metro is that if you see you've gotten on the wrong train or right train but in wrong direction you just hop off and get on the correct one - as long as you don't go outside of the que, you don't have to pay again. Also there are no "transfer" fees.....

Thanks Phil, kinda like B.A.R.T subway system in S.F. Bay area, I'll just hang out with some of you all ( ones that know where things are) and I'll be just fine, and won't be LOST

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

OK, I'm just gonna book into DCA. Not sure why today the cost is only $10 difference. It's too early for all those other tiny details about how to get to the hotel. I'd forget it anyways and would only bug you all again when it gets closer.

One question though, is that an underground type rail system? Are there other options? Maybe it's another fear to get over. Watched too many Charles Bronson movies growing up I guess.

Wolfie

Logged

Complacency is the enemy. Challenge yourself daily for maximum return on investment.

OK, I'm just gonna book into DCA. Not sure why today the cost is only $10 difference. It's too early for all those other tiny details about how to get to the hotel. I'd forget it anyways and would only bug you all again when it gets closer.

One question though, is that an underground type rail system? Are there other options? Maybe it's another fear to get over. Watched too many Charles Bronson movies growing up I guess.

Wolfie

lol......Greg just hang with hubby I me, I'm sure we can find some gay obscure watering hole to get our bearing

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Thanks Phil. It's been said that certain days of the week like Tuesday are good days to book flights. Would you know about good train deals, such as Amtrak?

Jody

Hi Jody:

If you are willing to depart NYC early in the AM (I mean like 4:30 am) and depart DC at the same time then you can get round trip tix on Amtrak for $98 ---- otherwise it runs about $320 R/T to go when everyone is awake....

OK, I'm just gonna book into DCA. Not sure why today the cost is only $10 difference. It's too early for all those other tiny details about how to get to the hotel. I'd forget it anyways and would only bug you all again when it gets closer.

One question though, is that an underground type rail system? Are there other options? Maybe it's another fear to get over. Watched too many Charles Bronson movies growing up I guess.

Wolfie

Hi Greg:

Metro is primarily underground - but is one of the safest and cleanest subway systems around - some of the stations are absolutely awesome in design.

You could always take a bus; however, you would have to walk 7/10ths of a mile at the airport to the bus stop, then take 3 buses with another 2/10th of a mile walk at the end of the journey to the hotel.

Total travel time via bus would be about 1 hour and thirty minutes

Total travel time on Metro Rail is 10 minutes.

There is also always taxi which would run about $12 - $15 each way (depending on traffic)

The subway really is the most convenient and I actually think that once you experience it, you would fall in love with it. Most everyone takes it in D.C.